Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was not photographed hunting in Girgenti last autumn as the spoof news story uploaded earlier today (see below) was an April Fool’s joke, courtesy of Times of Malta newsroom.

This website this morning reported Dr Muscat could clearly be seen in a grainy picture however, the picture was intentionally edited.

In this year’s light-hearted break from hard news, Times of Malta also jokingly reported that Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon was keen to introduce the Prime Minister to the “pleasures” of hunting.

The Dutch photographer, Weare Havinalarf [We are having a laugh] was also a rib tickler who claimed Dr Muscat failed to hit a single turtle dove in spite of several attempts.

As were the imaginary anti-spring hunting coalition spokesman Sparah Lemme [Shoot him away] and Joe Trikkas [Trick Us].

No birds were injured in the making of this spoof story, but a few egos may have been bruised.

The spoof story: Joseph Muscat is 'shot' hunting

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was spotted hunting in the limits of Girgenti last autumn, a picture taken by a Dutch photographer reveals.

The revelation comes just 10 days before a referendum which is expected to determine the future of spring hunting in Malta.

Clad in a khaki jacket and carrying a loaded gun, Dr Muscat can clearly be seen in the grainy picture. According to sources, he was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon who was keen to introduce the Prime Minister to the “pleasures” of hunting.

However, the photographer, Weare Havinalarf, claimed Dr Muscat failed to hit a single turtle dove in spite of several attempts. It is understood that Dr Falzon, a seasoned hunter, had more success. 

The source said the picture was taken close to the Prime Minister’s Girgenti official residence last October, just days after the season was reopened following its closure because of illegalities.

The Office of the Prime Minister could not be reached for comment on the incident. But anti-spring hunting coalition spokesman Sparah Lemme said the Prime Minister should have declared his personal hobbies before campaigning in favour of the Yes vote.

“We always viewed Dr Muscat’s support for the hunting lobby as suspicious, but this really takes the biscuit. It is unacceptable,” Ms Lemme said.

Joe Trikkas from the hunting lobby said that if these images were genuine, they showed that the Prime Minister was like “normal people”.

 “He makes Malta proud because he supports our traditions unlike the European Union which wants to stop them,” Mr Trikkas said. 

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